Clock



Aug. 23, 1960 o. H. DICKE EI'AL 2,949,723

' CLOCK Filed July 5. 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS OSCAR H. DICKEBY ROBERT H. DICKE AGENI Aug. 23, 1960 o. H. DICKE ETAL 2,949,728

CLOCK Filed July 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

l 192 l 79 e 1: O I/ INVENTORS I OSCAR H. DICKE BY ROBERT H. DICKE AGENT1960 o. H. DICKE EI'AL 2,949,728

CLOCK Filed July 5, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllU I INVENTORS OSCAR H. DICKE y ROBERT H. DICKE AGENT UnitedStates Patent CLOCK Oscar H. Dicke, 211 S. Washington St., New Bremen,Ohio, and Robert H. Dicke, 37 Jefferson Road, Princeton, NJ.

Filed July 5, 1956, Ser. No. 596,067 14 Claims. (Cl. '58-109) Thisinvention relates to clocks and/or watches which are hand set, in whichrate regulation is provided for and in which a limited amount only ofsuch rate regulation correction, irrespective of the extent of settingimposed, takes place; so that if the clock, or watch, is set a largeamount because it had stopped, due to failure of main spring energy, theerroneous correction is meager and imposes only a small amount of errorin the rate of operation of the time piece, and this will be removedduring the next setting of the time piece.

One of the difficulties of watch or clock performance is to get themproperly rate regulated to keep correct time. Sometimes, as in thecopending application of O. H. Dicke, Serial No. 447,271, filed August2, 1954, the extent of rate regulation imposed is proportional to theextent the clock or watch is set. This may, unless special provision ismade, cause the rate regulation to be wrongly adjusted as in case theclock or watch is set to a large extent because it had stopped forfailure of main spring energy. Also in the case of a stem-wind,

stem-set watch an error may be imposed while the stem is adjusted forsetting purposes and is left in that position for some time, in that thewatch will under this condition adjust its own rate regulating meanserroneously.

In view of the foregoing and other important considerations, it isproposed in accordance with the present invention to provide means foradjusting the rate regulation in proportion to a limited amount only ofthe setting imposed at any time, so that if the timepiece is set to alarge extent, due to failure to rewind the time piece, only a smallamount of error, in case the time piece was already properly rateregulated, is imposed.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of aslip clutch, including a clutch plate, included in movable mechanismthat operates the rate regulating means together with stop means tolimit the extent of movement of the clutch plate, and spring meansbiasing such clutch plate to an intermediate position between such stopmeans, whereby the momentary release of the clutch causes said clutchplate to assume the intermediate position by spring action and means forreleasing the clutch between successive setting operations.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means forassuring the release of such clutch between setting operation.

Another object of the invention resides in assuring the release of suchclutch periodically by the operation of the clock or watch mechanismitself.

Another object of the invention includes a planetary gear structure inthe clock gear train so that no gear shifting for performing a settingand rate regulation function is required.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic showing, in side elevation of a clock embodyingthe present invention, with certain of the parts illustrated in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the view of Figure 1, butwtih the clock setting key added in a stored position whereby thebiased-to-neutral clutch plate is released;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 exclusive ofthe key 51;

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 with the cluchplate in its intermediate position;

Figure 5 is another fragmentary view of a portion of the view of Figure1 showing a modified construction of the biased-to-neutral clutch platereleasing means;

Fig. 6 is a schematic showing in side elevation of a watch embodying thepresent invention, with certain of the parts illustrated in section;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is another fragmentary view of a portion of the view of Figure 1showing a further modified construction of the biased-to-neutral clutchplate releasing means.

Fig. 1 stlucture.In Fig. 1 the spring barrel 12 contains a main springdriving through gears 3, 5, 7 and 9 and pinions 4, 6, 8, and 10 theescape wheel 11. This escape wheel 11 has its rotation retarded by theescapement pallet 14, which has a bifurcated extension through which thestrap spring 15, supporting the pendulum 16, having a pendulum bob 16a,passes. This strap spring 15 passes also through the split pin 17pivotally supporting the escapement pallet 14. This strap spring 15 issupported by a threaded stub bolt 18 which is prevented from rotating bya key 21 over which the keyway 18a in said bolt 18 slides. The threadsof this threaded bolt 18 rest on the threads of the wormwheel 2'9, sothat rotation of this worm-gear 20 will change the effective length ofthe pendulum, because the effective upper end of this pendulum 16terminates at split pin 17. The gear ratio of the gear train and thelength of the pendulum 16 is such that the shaft 40 driven by pinion 4rotates at substantially one fourth revolution per hour r.p.h.).

This shaft 49 passes through the axial supporting member and freelyrotates therein but is pinned to gear 152 as by a pin 156. The planetsupporting member 150 is provided with a radially located pin 151 whichserves as a bearing for planetary pinion 153 and planetary gear 154integral therewith. The planetary gear 154 meshes with pinion 155integral with sleeve 69 supported by shaft 48 having a round head in asocket in said sleeve 69. Since the pinions 153 and 155 are half thepitch diameters of gears 152 and 154 the sleeve 69 rotates at four timesthe speed of rotation of shaft 40 so that the sleeve 69 rotates atsubstantially one r.p.h. Any other gear ratio either positive ornegative may be used, if desired.

The sleeve 69 supports and is integral with pinion and minute hand 71 orany other suitable time manifesting means. The sleeve 69 has rotatablysupported thereon a second sleeve 169 having integral therewith a gear173 which sleeve 169 supports the hour hand 71. The gear 173 is rotatedat one twelfth the speed of rotation of sleeve 69 through the medium ofintegral gear 171 and pinions 172 and 171).

The planet supporting gear 150 is meshed with pinion 164 meshing with apinion 124 which has a hub having a square hole into which the squareend of a key 51 may be inserted for setting purposes. The pinion 124 isfurther provided with a brake drum 116 which is spring bore of planet 3braked against free rotation by a spring pressed brake 115. The shaft 22is driven through the medium of shaft 123 and worm 165. The shaft 22 isconnected to worm'74 through the medium of a disengageable clutch 7778which may be released by operating lever CL against the compression ofspring 79. The worm 74 drives the worm-wheel 75 connected to a shaftsupporting a worm 76 engagingthe teeth of the worm-wheel 20 heretoforedescribed. From this construction it will be understood that the planetsupporting gear 150 may rotate worm-wheel 20 through the medium ofclutch 77-78 but is friction braked by brake 115116.

It will be seen that clutch 77-78 is provided with a clutch plate 175having an extension 175a. The clutch plate 175 is limited in itsrotation by pins 176 and 176a (see Fig. 3), limiting the movement ofextension 175a around the axis of shaft 22. This extension 175a isbiased by spring 179 to a position intermediate between the pins 176 and17611 but this extension is only free to assume this intermediateposition if the clutch is released by separating the clutch members 77and 78 to an extent to free the clutch plate for rotation.

The shaft 123 may be turned through the medium of setting key 51 forrotating planet supporting gear 150 and in turn setting the clock hands70 and 71. Such setting is possible because gear 152 is held relativelystationary through the medium of escape wheel 11 and the turning ofplanet supporting gear 150 will cause rolling of pinion 153 around gear152 and in turn case gear 154 to rotate pinion 155 and minute hand 70.During such rotation of planet supporting gear 150 and clock hand 70 bythe setting knob the worm- 74 will also be rotated unless clutch leverCL is at this time assuming its released position. Such rotation of worm74 will however be limited by the limited rotation of the clutch plate175, in that its extension 175a will strike one of the stop pins 176 or176a. As shown by the dotted and closed position of the clock door 190-this door cannot be closed unless the key 51 is first removed from thesocket in pinion 124. As the key 51 is removed it will be placed in thekey holder comprising the lever CL and the fixed bracket 191. Both ofthese elements have an outwardly tapered flange to facilitateinsertation of the key 51.

In another form of the invention, see Fig. 5, the key need not beremoved from shaft 123 but in this form the clockdoor 192 cannot assumeits closed dotted position without operating the angle lever 193 to itsreleased position. It is thus seen that in both Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 of theinvention it is substantially assured that the clutch 77-7t'5 will bereleased after each setting operation so that the clutch plate 175 willobtain a new lease of life, so to speak, so that it may operate from itsintermediate position, to which it is operated by spring 171*, to aposition against one of the stops 176 or 17641 to thereby impose limitedrate regulation. Fig. 8 shows another way in which release of the clutch7778 may be assured.

Operation of Fig. 1.When the clock shown in Fig. 1 is first set intooperation its rate regulating means may not be very well adjusted andthe clock may keep very poor time. Let us assume that it is actuallynine oclock but that the clock hands indicate six oclock. The clock willfirst be wound by key 13, the pendulum 16 will be started oscillatingand then the key 51 will be removed from its key holder CL-191. It willbe understood that the clutch plate now assumes its intermediateposition to which it was operated by spring 179 when the key 51 wasinserted into its holder. The square key 51 will now be inserted in thesquare hole in pinion 124 and the key 51 will be turned until the clockhands 70 and 71 indicate nine oclock. During this setting operation therate regulating worm-Wheel will be operated in the fast direction. Thischange in the rate adjustment will however be very small by reason ofthe limited rotation of clutch plate 175 possible by reason of limitsimposed by stop pins 176 and I 17601, and the adjustment may be in thewrong direction. The clock will now operate but will probably keep verypoor time because it was assumed to be poorly adjusted at the outset.Each time the clock is set thereafter because it was off by reason ofpoor time keeping, will cause it to be rate adjusted in a direction toimprove the time keeping quality of the clock or watch. Since theprobability is that the clock will seldom be set because it had stoppedby reason of the failure of main spring energy but will be ofen set, solong as it is poorly adjusted, because it indicated time inaccuratelythe clock will eventually keep correct time because it will be rateadjusted at each setting to a small extent as limited by the stop pins176 and 176a or less and it will be adjusted in a direction towardbetter time keeping. To make this more clear when the clock is setforward because it stopped for failure of main spring energy it isalways regulated toward fast; whereas if it is set by reason of poortime keeping it may be set forward or backward and when it is setforward it will also be regulated toward fast and if it is set backwardit will be rate regulated toward slow. Since it must be assumed that theclock is often set because it is slightly off but is seldom set becauseit had stopped, the clock will eventually be adjusted to keep correcttime. Also, if automatic winding is employed the clock should seldom beset by reason of failure of main spring energy or due to moving it fromone location to another. Between each of successive manual settingoperations the key 51 will be placed in its holder 191-CL which willresult in releasing clutch 77--78 to thereby cause the clutch plate 175to return to its intermediate position. This key will be placed in theholder because the door 190 (shown in dotted lines only) cannot beclosed unless the key 51 is first removed from shaft pinion 124. In theFig. 5 construction release of the clutch plate 175 is assured becausethe closing of door 192 will actuate angle lever 193 which will resultin the release of clutch 7778 through the medium of lever CL to therebyallow the clutch plate 175 to return to its intermediate position. Also,in the Fig. 8 constructive release of the clutch 77-78 is assured by theoperation of the clock or watch mechanism itself.

It is of course understood that rate regulation is imposed because whenthe setting knob 51 is rotated it results in the rotation of both theplanet supporting gear and in turn the clock hands and also results inrotation of the worm wheel 20. The worm wheel 20 when rotated causes achange in the rate adjustment. Also the planet supporting gear 150 whenrotated causes rotation of clock hand 70 and pinion integral therewith.Such rotation of pinion 155 is brought about because gear 152 isrelatively stationary due to the stubborn behavior of the escape wheel11 and rotation of planet supporting gear 150 causes the pinion 153 toroll over gear 152 and thereby will cause gear 154 to rotate pinion 155and minute hand 70.

Wrist-watch modified construction, Figs. 6 and 7.In Fig. 6 only those ofthe well-known elements of a watch that are necessary for anunderstanding of the present invention have been shown. It is to beunderstood, of course, that the omitted elements such as the mainspring,the escapement pallet, the gearing interconnecting these elements withthe parts shown, mounting plates, and case are of conventional designand would be incorporated in any watch, including one embodying thepresent invention.

The watch shown in Fig. 6 is wound, set, and automatically rateregulated, as an incident to a setting operation, by the conventionalsetting and winding knob 225 which is exteriorally disposed of the case(not shown), which knob is pulled outward for setting operations andpushed to its normal inward position for winding. The knob 225 issecured to a stern 230 which has annular grooves 261 and 262 which coactwith a detent spring 260 to define the two positions of operation. Uponthe stem are seriately disposed the winding gear 222, the

barrel member 220, clutch plate 250, worm 232, and bearing block 231,the stem terminating in a shouldered portion 230a. Of the above elementsdisposed on stem 230 only the barrel member 220 is rotationally bound tothe stem as by key and keyway structure 269 which permits an axialmovement of the barrel 220 with respect to the stem 230.

The unwinding of the mainspring (not shown) is transmitted throughgearing (also not shown) to shaft 265 through the frictional connection264 to gear 218 and thence to the minute hand 270. Through gear 217, inmesh with gear 218, and gears 216 and 215 the rota tional movement ofminute hand 270 is transmitted in one-twelfth ratio to the hour hand271. The above speeds are of course governed by the rate of oscillationof the balance wheel 211 by means of a conventional escapement andgearing (not shown).

In the normal position of the winding stem, wherein the knob 225 iscloser to the case, the detent spring 260 is detented in groove 261 andthe stem 230 is slid axially downward (as viewed in Fig. 6) so that theshouldered portion 230a thereof pushes against rock lever 241, pivotedat 242 to rock it counter-clockwise, compressing spring 240. The rockingof lever 241, through pinned connection 243 and slot 245e causes theslide bar 245 to slide upwards, guided by screws 246 and 247 in slots24511 and 2450. The upward movement of slide bar 245 is transmittedthrough screw 249, and yoke 248 to the barrel structure 220 causing itto move upwardly. It will be noted that the yoke 248 is yieldablyconnected to slide bar 245 through the spring 224 and the upturned stoptab 245d, so that the barrel member can yield to disengage the teeth220a and 222a during a backward rotation of the winding stem to providea ratcheting action.

In the position of the winding stem above-described the complementaryteeth 229a and 22211 are enmeshed by the upward movement of the barrelmember 220. Thus when the winding knob 225 is rotated in a windingdirection (clockwise as viewed from above) the rotation thereof istransmitted through stem 239, keyed connection 269, barrel 22d), teeth220a (integral therewith), teeth 222a to gear 222 which is connectedthrough gearing not shown to the winding structure of the mainspring(not shown). Gear 222 is restrained from axial movement by pads 22?: sothat the teeth 220a and 222a remain enmeshed so long as rotation is in awinding direction. If the Winding knob is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection, then the gear 222 is restrained from backwards rotation bythe winding ratchet structure in the winding mechanism and because ofthe configuration of the teeth 222a and 220a the barrel member 220 iscammed downward by the interaction of the teeth, the yoke 248 yieldingagainst the tension of spring 224 so as not to move the stern 230 out ofits detented position in groove 261.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 6 the stern 230 is shown inthe position for a combined setting and rate-regulating operation. Toeffect this position the knob 225 is grasped and pulled outward from thecase to move the stern 230 accordingly and detent the spring 260 ingroove 262. With stern 230 in its upward position the rock lever 241 andits rounded end 241a is urged to follow said movement by the action ofcompression spring 240. The clockwise rotation of rock lever 241 istransmitted through the slide bar 245 and yoke 248 to move the barrelmember 220 downward, thus disengaging teeth 220a from teeth 222a andengaging the crown teeth 22012 (integral with barrel 220) with the teethof gear 219 which is in turn meshed with gear 218 in the drive train forthe hands 275 and 271i, previously traced. Thus rotation of the knob 225in either direction will through stem 230, keyed connection 269, barrel220, teeth 22%, and gear 219 efiect a setting of the hands. During thisoperation the friction clutch 3 264 permits relative movement betweengear 218 and the escapement-restrained shaft 265 to permit setting.

In this same position of the parts as shown in Fig. 6, and as anincident to the setting of the hands, a correction is applied to theoscillation rate of the balance wheels so as to compensate for theinaccuracies of the timepiece, as manifested by the direction andmagnitude of the hand setting, with the limitation that corrections tothe timekeeping rate in excess of a predetermined amount are prevented.When the barrel 220 was moved downward by the action above-described,the lowermost face thereof formed on the reduced pontion 22% isfrictionally engaged with the upper face of clutch plate 250, which isloose on stem 230. The lower face of clutch plate 250 is frictionallyengaged with the platelike upper end of worm 232, which is restrainedfrom downward movement by bearing 231. Thus the clutch plate 250 issandwiched between the lowermost face of barrel 220 and the upper faceof worm 232. The clutch plate 250 has a radially extending arm 250a (seealso Fig. 7) which is free to rotate between limits defined by the pins251 and 252, but is biased toward a mid-position by spring 253. Thuswhen the knob 225 is rotated for a setting operation, the attendantrotation of barrel 2 2i] is transmitted through clutch plate 250 to theworm 232 to worm wheel 233, gear 234, gear 235, and the gear segment 213having its center on the axis of the balance wheel 211. Connected to thegear segment 213 is a pin 213a through which a coil of hairspring 212passes. Thus the eifective vibration length of hairspring 212 can beadjusted to regulate the rate of the balance wheel 211.

When the timepiece of Fig. 6 is set, the magnitude and direction of thesetting is transmitted through the clutch assembly including the clutchplate 250 to worm 232 and thence through the gearing hereinabove tracedto rotate gear segment 213 and pin 21301 to lengthen or shorten theeffective length of hairspring 212 so as to slow or speed thetimekeeping rate. If the setting required of the hands is of largemagnitude the clutch plate 250 can only rotate until the radial arm 253astrikes one or the other of the pins 251 and 252, and thereafter thedrive to worm 232 is interrupted by the slipping of the clutch. Thus theamount of rate correction that can be applied for one setting operationis limited by the displacement limits imposed on clutch plate 250 by thepins 251 and 252.

When the setting stem 230 is returned to its normal or winding positionthe compression on clutch plate 250 is removed and the centering spring253 restores the clutch plate 250 to its central position in readinessfor a subsequent setting operation.

From the above description it will be seen that for each settingoperation the timekeeping rate of the watch will be improved so thatafter a few such settings the rate will be substantially correct, andonly seasonal variations will necessitate further setting. This isparticularly true if the watch is not permitted to stop throughneglecting to wind it and if the setting operation is performed at thesame time every day. In the event the watch stops and a large setting ofthe hands is required upon restarting the limits imposed upon therate-regulating feedback prevents a serious maladjustment of the ratemechanism. The hand settings subsequently performed will soon bring thetimekeeping rate back to the correct value.

It will now be understood from the foregoing description when taken inthe light of the accompanying drawings that a clock or watch embodyingthis invention may be set at any time and as often as is deemednecessary or advantageous and that for each setting due to poor timekeep ing the rate-regulating portion of the time piece will be operatedto a better time keeping condition. Also that if the clock, or watch, isset after it has stopped it will also be rate regulated to a very smallextent and that the latter rate regulating adjustment may be in thewrong direction but that it is so small that it will be fully correctedduring the next setting if this next setting does not take place plate250 to move the full are from its intermediate position against one orthe other of stops 251 or 252.

Another, and very assuring, way of releasing the clutch 7778 betweensuccessive setting (and rate regulation) of the clock is to have theclock itself release the clutch, say once or twice, each day. Inordinary circumstances a clock is not set oftener than once each day sothat if the clutch is released during the night a new limited extent ofrate regulation will be imposed by limited rotation of the clutch plate75 during the next setting of the clock. Structure for accomplishingthis function has been shown schematically in Fig. 8, which shows thehour gear 173 of Fig. 1 and also shows the clutch 77-78 of Fig. 1 havinga clutch plate 175 biased to an intermediate position between stop pins176 and 176a by a spring 179. It will be seen that the arm 275 ispivotally supported on a support 27 6 and has one end engaging thegroove of the lower clutch plate 78. The hour gear 173 has a bump, orlifting cam 277, fixed to its hub on which hub the roller 278 fastenedto the end of a lift rod 279, runs. The upper end of this lift rod 27 9is pivoted to the arm 275 and this lift rod 279 is arranged to slidethrough holes in supports 28!) and 281. It is thus seen that the liftrod 279 is lifted at twelve hour intervals so that if the clock is notset oftener than once each day, which is believed more than adequate,there is a definite assurance that the clutch 77-78 is released betweensuccessive settings of the clock or watch. A structure for automaticself releasing of the clutch by the clock or watch has thus beendisclosed in Fig. 8.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination; time manifesting means; mechanical time measuringmechanism including a main spring and escapement mechanism for drivingsaid time manifesting means; rotatable rate regulating means fordetermining the rate of operation of said time measuring mechanism;rotatable setting means for setting said time manifesting means; aclutch connecting said setting means and said rate regulating means;said clutch comprising a rotatable friction driving member, a frictiondriven member coaxial with and biased toward said driving member, aclutch plate coaxial with and between said driving member and saiddriven member, stop means to permit limited rotation of said clutchplate in either direction and spring means for biasing said clutch plateto an intermediate rotated position with respect to said stop means; theoperative connection afforded by said clutch between said setting meansand said rate regulating means is such that if the time manifestingmeans is set forward the rate regulating means is operated in adirection to increase the rate of operation of said time measuringmechanism and if set backward the rate regulating means is operated in adirection to decrease the rate of operation of the time measuringmechanism and in each event the extent of rate regulation is limited tothe extent afforded by the limited rotation of said clutch plate asdetermined by said stop means; and restoring means for temporarilyseparating said driving member and said driven member to an extent topermit said spring means to return said clutch plate to its intermediaterotated position after a setting operation.

2. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 1 and including in therestoring means a stem which when in one slidable position separatessaid driving member and said driven member to an extent to allow saidspring I 8 means to return the clutch plate to its intermediate positionand when rotated winds said main spring and when in another slidableposition when being rotated sets said time manifesting means and throughthe medium of said clutch adjusts said rate regulating means but only toan extent as permitted by the limited rotation of said clutch plate aslimited by said stop means.

3. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 1 and wherein therestoring means includes a detachable setting key for setting said timemanifesting means and in turn through the medium of said clutchadjusting to a limited extent said rate regulating means, storing meansfor holding said setting key, and means operated by said storing meanswhen said setting key is in its stored position for separating saiddriving member from said driven member to an extent to allow said springmeans to operate said clutch plate to its intermediate position.

4. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 1 and wherein therestoring means includes a detachable setting key for setting said timemanifesting means and in turn through the medium of said clutchadjusting to a limited extent said rate regulating means, a cover forenclosing said time measuring mechanism which can be closed only whensaid setting key is removed from operative attached location, storingmeans for holding said setting key, and means operated by said storingmeans when said setting key is in its stored position for separatingsaid driving member from said driven member to an extent to permit saidspring means to rotate said clutch plate to its intermediate position.

5. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 1, and wherein therestoring means includes a cover for enclosing said time measuringmechanism and which cover must be open to permit setting of said timemanifesting means and in turn adjustment of said rate regulating means,and means operated by said cover when in its closed position forseparating said driving member from said driven member to an extent toallow said spring means to rotate said clutch plate to its intermediateposition.

6. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the restoringmeans includes a member driven by the mechanical time measuringmechanism for periodically separating said driving member and saiddriven member to an extent to allow said spring means to rotate saidclutch plate to its intermediate position.

7. A time measuring mechanism comprising in combination, a planetsupporting member, a main spring, an escape wheel, a gear train drivenby said main spring and driving said escape wheel and also drivingplanet gears supported non-coaxially on said planet supporting member, apallet for by its oscillation allowing rotation of said escape Wheel,oscillatory means having a natural frequency of oscillation forgoverning the oscillation of said pallet, rate regulating means forchanging the natural frequency of said oscillatory means and operativelyconnected to said planet supporting member through the medium of aclutch, said clutch consisting of a driving surface, a driven surfaceand a clutch plate between said driving surface and said driven surface,said clutch plate having means to limit its extent of rotation includingstop means, spring means biasing said clutch plate to an intermediaterotated position, time manifesting means operated by said gear trainthrough the medium of said planet gears, and setting means for settingsaid time manifesting means and in turn, due to the stubborn behavior ofsaid escape wheel causing operation of said planet supporting member andin turn causing operation of said rate regulating means to a limitedextent as permitted by the limited rotation of said clutch plate aslimited by said stop means.

8. A time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 7 including means fortemporarily separating said driving surface and driven surface to anextent to allow said spring means to return said clutch plate to itsintermediate rotated position.

9. A time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 7, including means fortemporarily separating said driving surface and said driven surface toan extent to allow said spring means to return said clutch plate to itsintermediate rotated position and operated automatically and wholly bysaid gear train.

10. Time measuring mechanism including an escape wheel, a gear train fordriving said escape wheel, a main spring for driving said gear train, apallet for by its oscillation allowing rotation of said escape wheel,time manifesting means driven by said gear train, oscillating meanshaving a natural frequency of oscillation for controlling the rate ofoscillation of said pallet, rate regulating means for determining thenatural frequency of oscillation of said oscillatory means, a clutchwhich for each operation is capable of transmitting a pre-determinedmaximum extent of rotation only and thereafter may transmit suchpredetermined maximum extent of rotation only if it has been restored toits normal condition, setting means for setting said time manifestingmeans and connected through the medium of said clutch to operate to alimited extent said rate regulating means, and means operated by saidgear train for periodically restoring said clutch to its normalcondition.

11. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clutchincludes a clutch plate biased to an intermediate position, and stopmeans to allow said clutch plate to rotate only through a predeterminedangle of rotation in either direction.

12. Time measuring mechanism as claimed in claim 10 wherein the clutchincludes a clutch plate which may be rotated in either direction from anintermediate position to a predetermined extent only and wherein therestoration of the clutch to its normal condition resides in therestoration of the clutch plate to its intermediate position.

13. In combination; time manifesting means; mechanical time measuringmechanism including a main spring and escapement mechanism driventhereby and allowing operation of said time measuring manifesting means;rotatable rate regulating means for determining the rate of operation ofsaid escapement and time measuring mechanism; rotatable setting meansfor setting said time manifesting means; a clutch connecting saidsetting means and said rate regulating means; said clutch comprising afriction driving member, a friction driven member, and a clutch platebetween said driving member and said driven member; stop means to permitlimited rotation of said clutch plate in either direction and therebyallow limited driving of said nate regulating means by said settingmeans, and spring means for biasing said clutch plate to an intermediateposition with respect to said stop means; the operative connectionafforded by said clutch between said setting means and said rateregulating means is such, that if the time manifesting means is setforward, the rate regulating means is adjusted in a direction toincrease the rate of operation of said time measuring mechanism, and ifset backwards, the rate regulating means is adjusted in a direction todecrease the rate of operation of said time measuring mechanism and ineach event the extent of rate regulation adjustment is only to theextent afforded by the limited rotation of said clutch plate asdetermined by said stop means; and restoring means operated by said timemeasuring mechanism for temporarily separating said driving member anddriven member periodically to permit said spring means to return saidclutch plate to its intermediate rotated position after a settingopenation to afford additional limited rate regulation at the nextsetting.

14. In combination; time manifesting means; mechanical time measuringmechanism including a main spring and escapement mechanism driventhereby and allowing operation of said time measuring manifesting means;rotatable rate regulating means for determining the rate of operation ofsaid escapement and time measuring mechanism; rotatable setting meansfor setting said time manifesting means; a clutch connecting saidsetting means and said rate regulating means; said clutch comprising afriction driving member, a friction driven member, and a clutch platebetween said driving member and said driven member; stop means to permitlimited rotation of said clutch plate in either direction and therebyallow limited driving of said rate regulating means by said settingmeans, and spring means for biasing said clutch plate to an intermediateposition with respect to said stop means; the operative connectionafforded by said clutch between said setting means and said rateregulating means is such, that if the time manifesting means is setforward, the rate regulating means is adjusted in a direction toincrease the rate of operation of said time measuring mechanism, and ifset backwards, the rate regulating means is adjusted in a direction todecrease the rate of operation of said time measuring mechanism and ineach event the extent of rate regulation adjustment is only to theextent afforded by the limited rotation of said clutch plate asdetermined by said stop means, and means for separating said drivingmember and driven member.

Rabinow Feb. 20, 1951 Rabinow Oct. 28, 1958

